Taoiseach Enda Kenny yesterday thanked Irish Distillers Pernod Ricard for its €100 million investment in a distillery in Midleton, which will create about 60 new jobs between sites in Cork and Dublin.

Mr Kenny said the decision to invest €100 million in the new distillery at its Midleton plant to meet projected extra demand for Jameson whiskey was a vote of confidence in local management and staff.

“This investment by Irish Distillers is the result of an exceptional performance by Jameson in the world-wide marketplace,” said Mr Kenny, who noted that Jameson sales had undergone double-digit growth in 35 countries in recent years.

“Today marks a significant day in the future of Irish whiskey production, and the entire food and drinks export industry, as well as for the local economy here in Cork, which has benefited from the presence of both the distillery and the Jameson Experience visitor centre.”

Some 250 jobs will be created during the construction of the new distillery and 30 jobs will be created at Irish Distillers’ Fox and Geese bottling plant in Dublin.

Mr Kenny said Irish Distillers spends more than €60 million in the local economy on cereals, energy, capital projects and pay.